Davis County officials weigh pay fix for prosecutor's investigators amid retention risk

County Attorney Troy Rawlings urged the Davis County Commission on Nov. 4 to address pay inequities for his office's investigative team, saying the unit's specialized work and recent federal partnerships make its retention a public-safety priority.

Rawlings told the commission that investigators who provide digital forensics, critical surveillance and ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) support are being actively solicited by other agencies and private security firms. He characterized the staff as unusually skilled, describing in-house cell-phone and computer forensic capabilities that cut months from evidence processing and make prosecutions more efficient. "We can do it ourselves," he said of the county's forensic processing; that capacity, he said, helps secure pleas and convictions.

Rawlings said HR data showed the investigators are at about "82% of market" and two grades below comparable Davis County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) lieutenants, and he warned those differences are prompting staff to consider outside offers. He asked commissioners for direction to address the internal-equity gap, arguing that losing experienced investigators would undercut the county's ability to work with federal partners and protect potential victims.

HR staff confirmed investigators received increases two years ago tied to the investigators benchmark, which placed them near market on external comparisons; however, when compared to internal county benchmarks (including DCSO lieutenant grades) investigators were paid less. HR explained that a reclassification/benchmark adjustment is typically implemented as roughly a 3% benchmark increase on top of any cost-of-living adjustments.

Controller Scott Park told the board the tentative 2026 budget includes a limited contingency for market adjustments and HR contingencies, but he warned the general fund faces an approximate $7,000,000 shortfall. "There is some money set aside in the 2026 tentative budget," Park said, but he cautioned that making market-level increases now could conflict with broader staffing and layoff decisions should the county avoid a proposed tax increase.

Commissioners split on timing. Several members said protecting children and public safety argued for acting promptly; others said the commission should resolve the tentative budget and tax questions first. Commissioner Tom Krausz and others said immediate, modest adjustments (Rawlings and HR discussed a 3% adjustment figure) could be affordable for the remainder of 2025 and would send a leadership signal; Commissioner Bob Stevens and others urged waiting until after budget decisions, calling the current moment poor timing given other fiscal pressures.

Rawlings cited past empirical research he said showed every caught perpetrator may correspond to multiple additional victims and said he would follow up with the county's criminal-justice coordinator for updated figures. He also reported that three investigators "test drove" private work recently to evaluate offers, reinforcing his concern about retention.

No formal motion or vote was recorded during the work session. Several commissioners signaled they supported fixing the inequity in principle; others asked staff to provide specific budget numbers and timing recommendations. The board adjourned the work session at 09:29.

Next steps: Rawlings said he would obtain updated victimization data from the county CJC director and HR/controller staff will provide the commission with precise cost estimates and budget options for any reclassification or market-adjustment before further action.